The New South Wales Branch provides pensions and advocacy support to veterans of all conflicts, their partners and children, through State Sub-Branches under the guidance of the acting State Advocate, Ken Foster JP.

No person is authorised to act on behalf of the NSW Branch in the provision of welfare, pensions or advocacy support unless they:

• are trained to the appropriate level under the Department of Veterans Affairs Training and Information Program; (TIP)

• are authorised in writing by the senior advocate to act on behalf of the Branch at a stipulated level;

• undertake to act in accordance with the ethical standards imposed by TIP and the Veterans Indemnity and Training Association (VITA); and

• maintain the appropriate records.

The pension and advocacy service includes that which comes under the auspices of the Veterans Entitlement Act 1986, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 (SRCA) and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, 2004 (MRCA).

We offer advice, assistance with claims under these jurisdictions and advocacy for claims which go before the Veterans Review Board (VRB) and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).

Should it be necessary we assist in access to Legal Aid and representation by Counsel.

The State Branch offers assistance to veterans of Allied Forces from all conflicts, in obtaining a pension or assistance from the country for which they served, primarily USA, Great Britain and New Zealand.

The NSW Branch and its Sub-Branches provide an extensive welfare service to all veterans and war widows. That service assists individuals to access government and/or community assistance, aged assessment as well as DVA home care, safety assessment and nursing care where required.

Hospital and home visits by local veterans can also be arranged, as well as assistance when bereavements occur. Association members will arrange and/or conduct graveside services appropriate for veterans and assist in obtaining funeral benefits where an entitlement exists. We can generally provide some limited guidance as to which local funeral directors offer veteran-friendly services.

The welfare, pensions oficers and advocates of the NSW Branch are NOT licenced to provide financial, medical, psychological or psychiatric advice, however they may, through our extensive community and healthcare networking, be able to identify but not recommend, providers of such services who are aware of the special requirements of the veteran and ex-Service community.

It is our first choice to recommend the Veterans and Families Counselling Service (VVCS, formerly the Vietnam Veterans Counselling Service) to our clients.

The philosophy of the State Branch is to consider the broader needs of the veteran and the family in an holistic approach which seeks to identify all of the necessary services which the Association will then seek to coordinate on their behalf.